Yolanda Hadid shares intimate photos of Bella Hadid’s Lyme disease battle
The Hadid family reveals ongoing struggle with chronic Lyme disease as Bella faces a flare-up in hospital settings.
Yolanda Hadid posted Thursday a carousel of photos documenting her daughter Bella Hadid’s treatment for a Lyme disease flare-up, underscoring what she described as an invisible disability. The images show the 28-year-old model in a hospital bed, connected to IVs and medical devices, with at least one shot featuring an oxygen machine and towels wrapped around her. A further slide displays a large array of medications Bella must take to manage her symptoms.
In the accompanying caption, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star said watching Bella “struggle in silence” has “cut the deepest core of hopelessness inside me.” She noted the private struggle is the chronic neurological form of Lyme disease, which she herself also endures, and said she tries to “lead by example” while supporting her daughter. The first photo showed Yolanda hugging Bella in a hospital bed, while several others showed her hooked up to oxygen.
The author notes that the model’s mother addressed her “beautiful Bellita,” expressing pride and admiration for her bravery amid “failing protocols and countless setbacks” since the diagnosis in 2013. Yolanda wrote that Bella doesn’t “really live” but has “learned how to exist inside the jail of [her] own paralyzed brain.” She stressed the ongoing “invisible disability” and the struggle to navigate a disease that remains poorly understood in some medical circles.
Yolanda has also been open about her own battle with Lyme disease, and the post reinforces the personal toll this condition has taken on the Hadid family. The message concluded with a pledge of support: “I am so proud of the fighter that you are. You are not alone, I promise to have your back every step of the way, no matter how long this takes. You have fought through another month of treatment and I know god is good, miracles do happen everyday.” She added that Bella is a “survivor” who will “always get back up” and “fight for better days.”
Bella Hadid first sparked concern on Wednesday when she posted alarming photos from a hospital bed, apologizing to fans for being “MIA.” Her sister Gigi Hadid commented, “I love you!” while Yolanda called her a “❤️ Lyme warrior.” Since her 2013 diagnosis, Bella has faced multiple flare-ups that have landed her in the hospital; her most recent hospitalization prior to Thursday’s post occurred in August 2023. Bella has publicly reflected on the long, difficult journey through Lyme disease and chronic illness, expressing gratitude for the doctors and nurses who have helped her through treatment.
In a December 2023 post, Bella said, “If I had to go through all of this again, to get here, to this exact moment I’m in right now, with all of you, finally healthy, I would do it all again.” She added that the experience has given her “gratitude for and perspective on life,” describing more than 100 days of Lyme and chronic disease treatment as “worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup.” She closed by thanking her “genius” doctor and the “incredible” team of nurses who supported her, adding, “I’ll be back when I’m ready.”
Yolanda’s public posts underscore the family’s long-standing willingness to discuss Lyme disease openly. The Hadids have emphasized that Anwar Hadid, Yolanda’s younger son, was diagnosed around the same time as Bella, illustrating how the disease has touched multiple members of the family. The posts serve to highlight the ongoing public conversation about Lyme disease and its impact on daily life, beyond the more familiar headlines about fashion and fame.
As the family continues to navigate Bella’s health, Wednesday’s hospital photos, Thursday’s follow-up, and the broader history of diagnosis and flare-ups reflect a persistent struggle with an illness that remains challenging to detect and treat. The Hadids have framed their communications around resilience, support, and the hope that better days lie ahead, while acknowledging the pain and uncertainty that accompanies chronic Lyme disease.